Surprise Packages West Ham And Newcastle Do Battle

Whilst West Ham United have stagnated slightly since reaching the top-end of the Premier League table this month, it`s fair to say that Newcastle United are yet to take their foot off the gas. Under the guidance of much-maligned manager Alan Pardew, the side have risen from the division`s bottom spot to fifth place.

The Hammers, one of Pardew`s former clubs, are just one point and one place behind the Magpies in sixth with the teams preparing to face each other at the Boleyn Ground tomorrow (29th November).

October has been the highlight of the home side`s season so far, unbeaten in all of their three league matches. Home wins over QPR (2-0) and Manchester City (2-1) sandwiched a 3-1 triumph over Burnley at Turf Moor.

Big Sam Allardyce`s Hammers have, though, plateau-ed this month, clocking back-to-back draws against Stoke and Aston Villa before coming unstuck for the first time in six games against Everton.

The East Londoners` tie away at Stoke felt like a victory after coming from 2-0 down to equalise with just 15 minutes remaining. Enner Valencia bagged the Hammers` first before Stewart Downing cancelled out first half goals from Victor Moses and Mame Biram Diouf. This match preceded a goalless draw with Villa which saw the Upton Park outfit fail to score for the first time since the opening game of the season.

Substitute Mauro Zarate made sure that this profligacy was just a blip as he equalised against Everton at Goodison Park, though Leon Osman scored mid-way through the second half to deny Allardyce`s men a share of the spoils.

Newcastle have been victorious in all of their last five Premier League matches, pulling some surprising results out of the bag against some top-end opposition. The run began in October as Gabriel Obertan grabbed the only goal against Leicester City in their narrow victory, earning them their first three points of the season. Buoyed, the Magpies then went on to defeat Tottenham away from home with Sammy Ameobi and Ayoze Perez hitting second half strikes to overcome a 1-0 deficit.

November has brought a slight win over last season`s Premier League runners-up Liverpool, Perez once again on song, scoring the only goal of the match. A week later, Newcastle managed to hit two past West Brom without reply. Again Perez opened the scoring before captain Fabricio Coloccini doubled the visitors` lead. Victory number five came at St James Park, seeing off QPR by a solitary goal to nil. Moussa Sissoko hit the back of the net with a mere 12 minutes left on the clock.

Pardew`s Magpies have kept three clean sheets in as many games and can be backed at 10/3 (Spreadex) to do the same tomorrow. The team are also available at a massive 6/1 with Coral to win to nil.

These stonking prices are due to the fact that West Ham are currently unbeaten at home in their last four games. Fans of the club will be nervous however, as they are currently without star strikers Diafra Sakho and Valencia with knocks.

Alex Song is a doubt after also sustaining a knock whilst Winston Reid is suspended after picking up five yellow cards.

In spite of this, the bookies have installed the Claret and Blue side as the 6/5 (Numerous) favourites for the match-up. Twenty-seven to ten (32red, 888sport, Betvictor, unibet) says Newcastle will return to Tyneside with all three points whilst a draw is available at 5/2 with most bookmakers.

Both on high-scoring streaks, it`s 4/5 with most bookmakers on both teams hitting the back of the net.

Pardew has injury concerns of his own, however. Baggies hero Coloccini is due to be sidelined with a calf injury whilst fellow defender Ryan Taylor is not expect to play after picking up his second successive injury against Queens Park Rangers last time out.

First-choice goalkeeper Tim Krul is a doubt for the game though Emmanuel Riviere, Steven Taylor and Cheick Tiote are also set to return.

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28/11/2014     © Frixo 2024